China News Service, Paris, August 9th (Reporter Li Yang) French President Macron delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the International Aid Lebanon Video Conference on the 9th local time, calling on the international community to act quickly to provide emergency assistance to Lebanon.
Macron listed several urgent needs identified in Lebanon, and he said that action must be taken quickly and effectively. He detailed the four areas where the international community needs emergency assistance: health, food, education and housing.
Macron said Beirut is suffering and there are now thousands of people living on the streets. We need to focus all resources to meet the needs of Beirut’s residents; we also need to provide support to the families of the victims of the explosion.
An explosion occurred in the port area of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, on the evening of the 4th. The Lebanese Ministry of Health said on the 8th that the explosion had killed 158 people, injured more than 6,000, and dozens of others were missing. The explosion also left hundreds of thousands of people homeless. Macron visited Lebanon on the 6th, met with Lebanese President Aoun and checked the explosion site.
Macron once again called on Lebanon to carry out necessary reforms in the video conference. He said that Lebanon's future is "at stake," and Lebanese officials need to reform according to the wishes of the Lebanese people. He also pointed out that the international community should work hard to prevent Lebanon from falling into chaos.
A large-scale demonstration took place in Beirut on the 8th. The demonstrators clashed with the police, causing casualties. On the same day, Lebanese Prime Minister Diab called for early parliamentary elections. (Finish)